Duke Zhao's 21st Year
In the twenty-first year, in spring, in the third month of the Zhou calendar, they buried Duke Ping of Cai.
In summer, the Marquis of Jin sent Shi Yang to Lu on a diplomatic mission.
Hua Hai, Xiang Ning, and Hua Ding of Song entered the Nanli district of Song from Chen and raised a rebellion.
In autumn, on the first day of the seventh month, a solar eclipse occurred.
In the eighth month, on the day of Yihai, Shu Zhe died.
In winter, Marquis Zhu of Cai fled to Chu.
Duke Zhao went to Jin, but turned back upon reaching the Yellow River.
In the twenty-first year, in spring, the Son of Heaven of Zhou intended to cast the Wushe bell. Ling Zhoujiu said, "The Son of Heaven will probably die of heart disease! Music is the domain of the Son of Heaven; sound is the vehicle of music; and the bell is the instrument that produces sound. The Son of Heaven examines the customs of the people to create music, uses instruments like bells to gather sounds, and employs pitch standards to promote music. If the sound of a small bell is not too delicate, and the sound of a large bell is not too coarse, then all things can be in harmony; when all things are in harmony, excellent music can be completed. Therefore, harmonious sounds enter the ear, are stored in the heart, and when the heart is at peace, it is joyful. If the sound is too delicate, it is not perfect; if too coarse, it cannot be contained; the heart is thereby stirred, and stirring indeed creates illness. Now the bell's sound is coarse, and the Son of Heaven's heart cannot bear it—can he last long?"
In the third month, they buried Duke Ping of Cai. The Crown Prince Zhu of Cai lost his proper position and was of low standing. When the high officials returned from the funeral, they saw Zhaozi. Zhaozi inquired about the situation in Cai, and they told him. Zhaozi sighed and said, "Cai is probably about to perish! If it does not perish, this ruler will certainly not die a good death. The Odes say: 'If one is diligent in his position without negligence, the people can attain peace.' Now the Marquis of Cai has just ascended the throne and is already in a lowly position; he himself will follow this situation."
In summer, Shi Yang of Jin came to Lu on a diplomatic mission. Shusun was in charge of the state affairs, and Jisun wanted to humiliate Lu in the eyes of Jin, so he ordered the officials to receive Shi Yang with the same protocol used when Bao Guo of Qi returned the Fei lands. Shi Yang grew angry and said, "Bao Guo's status was low, his state was small, yet you have me receive the same prison-rations as him—this is to despise our state. I will report this to our ruler." The people of Lu were afraid and increased the offering by four prison-rations, making it eleven in total.
Hua Feisui of Song had sons: Hua Chu, Hua Duoliao, and Hua Deng. Hua Chu served as Junior Minister of War, and Hua Duoliao served as Chariot Attendant to the ruler. He hated Hua Chu and slandered him before the Duke of Song, saying, "Hua Chu intends to receive the exiles." He spoke of this repeatedly. The Duke said, "The Minister of War, for my sake, has lost his excellent son. Death and life are determined by fate; I cannot cause him to lose another son." The other replied, "If the ruler cherishes the Minister of War, then he should go into exile. If death can be avoided, why fear distance?" The Duke grew afraid and sent an attendant to summon the Minister of War's attendant, Yiliao. He made him drink wine and then told him to inform the Minister. The Minister sighed and said, "It must be Duoliao's doing. I have this slanderous son, yet I cannot kill him, and I have not died. But the ruler has given orders—what can be done?" So he plotted with the Duke to expel Hua Chu. They planned to have him go hunting at Mengzhu and then send him away. The Duke gave him wine, presented him with lavish gifts, and bestowed gifts on his followers as well. The Minister did likewise. Zhang Gai was displeased by this and said, "There must be a reason." He had Zipi interrogate Yiliao with a sword at his throat, and Yiliao told everything. Zhang Gai wanted to kill Duoliao, but Zipi said, "The Minister is old. Hua Deng's exile is already severe enough; if I make it worse, it would be better to go into exile."
On the day of Bingshen in the fifth month, Zipi prepared to see the Minister and then depart; he encountered Duoliao, who was driving the Minister's chariot to court. Zhang Gai could not suppress his anger, so together with Zipi, Bai Ren, and Zheng Pian, they killed Duoliao, seized the Minister, and raised a rebellion, summoning the exiles back. On the day of Renyin, the Hua and Xiang clans entered the capital of Song. Le Daxin, Feng Qian, and Hua Cheng resisted them at Hengdi. The Hua clan lodged at the Lu Gate and relied on Nanli to carry on the rebellion. On the day of Gengwu in the sixth month, Song repaired the old city and the Sanglin Gate and took up positions there.
In autumn, on the first day of the seventh month, a solar eclipse occurred. Duke Zhao asked Zi Shen, "What phenomenon is this? Is it a calamity or a blessing?" He replied, "At the winter solstice, summer solstice, spring equinox, and autumn equinox, solar eclipses do not cause disaster. The movements of the sun and moon are on the same path at the equinoxes and intersect at the solstices. Solar eclipses in other months are disasters, because the yang force cannot overcome the yin force, so they often cause floods." At this time, Shu Zhe wept over the solar eclipse. Zhaozi said, "Zishu is about to die; this is not something to weep over." In the eighth month, Shu Zhe died.
In winter, in the tenth month, Hua Deng led troops from Wu to rescue the Hua clan. Niaozhiming of Qi was garrisoning Song. The cook, Pu, said, "The military records have this saying: 'He who strikes first can seize the enemy's heart; he who strikes later must wait for the enemy to weaken.' Why not attack them while they are tired and not yet settled? If we let them enter the city and secure themselves, then the Hua clan's numbers will increase, and regret will be too late." They followed his advice. On the day of Bingyin, the armies of Qi and Song defeated Wu at Hongkou, capturing two of their generals: Gongzi Kuji and Yanzhou Yuan. Hua Deng led the remnants and defeated the Song army. The Duke of Song wanted to flee, but the cook, Pu, said, "I am a humble person and can die for you, but I cannot escort you in flight. I beg you, my lord, to wait a while." He then went on patrol and issued a command, saying, "Those who raise their flags are the ruler's followers." The people obeyed him. When the Duke of Song saw this from the Yang Gate, he descended from his chariot and made an inspection, saying, "The state's ruin and the ruler's death are your disgrace—is it only my fault?" Niaozhiming of Qi said, "With few troops, it is better to risk death together; risking death together is better than removing defenses. They are numerous—let us all use swords." They followed his advice. The Hua clan retreated, and the Song army pursued them. The cook, Pu, wrapped his head in a skirt, carried it on his shoulder, and ran, shouting, "I have captured Hua Deng!" Thereupon they defeated the Hua clan at Xinli. Zhai Louxin was residing in Xinli; after the battle, he took off his armor at the duke's place and went home. Hua Xing was residing in Gongli and did the same.
On the day of Guiwei in the eleventh month, Gongzi Cheng led the Jin army to arrive. Cao Hanhu joined forces with Xun Wu of Jin, Yuan Heji of Qi, and Gongzi Chao of Wei to rescue Song together. On the day of Bingxu, they fought against the Hua clan at Zheqiu. Zheng Pian wanted to form a crane formation, but his charioteer wanted to form a goose formation. Zilu drove for Gongzi Cheng, with Zhuang Jin as the right-side warrior. Gan Chou drove for the Lu Fengren, with Hua Bao and Zhang Gai as right-side warriors. The two sides met, and Gongzi Cheng turned his chariot around. Hua Bao said, "It is Cheng!" Gongzi Cheng grew angry and turned his chariot back to fight. As he was about to shoot at Hua Bao, Hua Bao had already drawn his bowstring. Gongzi Cheng said, "May the spirit of Duke Ping assist me!" Hua Bao's arrow flew past him. As Gongzi Cheng was about to shoot again, Hua Bao had drawn his bowstring once more. Gongzi Cheng said, "Not allowing me to take turns shooting is base." Hua Bao withdrew his arrow, and Gongzi Cheng shot him; Hua Bao was killed. Zhang Gai drew a shu and dismounted from the chariot; Gongzi Cheng shot him and broke his leg. Zhang Gai crawled forward to attack Gongzi Cheng, and another arrow broke the chariot's crossbar. Gongzi Cheng shot him again, and Zhang Gai was killed. Gan Chou requested that he be given one arrow. Gongzi Cheng said, "I will speak for you to the ruler." Gan Chou said, "Not dying in battle together with one's comrades in the same chariot and company is a major military crime. Having committed a crime and then following you, how would the ruler employ me? Please be quick about it!" So he shot him, and Gan Chou was killed. The Song army heavily defeated the Hua clan and surrounded them in Nanli. Hua Hai beat his chest and cried out; when he saw Hua Chu, he said, "I have become like the Luan clan!" Hua Chu said, "Do not frighten me. If misfortune comes, then we will perish." He sent Hua Deng to Chu to request troops. Hua Chu led fifteen war chariots and seventy infantry, broke through the besieging army, ate a meal by the Sui River, sent Hua Deng off with tears, and then re-entered Nanli.
Wei Yue of Chu led an army, intending to receive the Hua clan. The Grand Steward Fan remonstrated, saying, "Among the feudal lords, only the ministers of Song serve their ruler properly; now they are contending for the state. To abandon the ruler and help the minister—I fear this is not acceptable." The King of Chu said, "You told me this, but I have already promised them."
Marquis Zhu of Cai fled to Chu. Fei Wuji obtained goods from Dongguo, so he said to the people of Cai: "Zhu did not obey the commands of Chu, and the king intends to install Dongguo. If you do not first comply with the king's intention, Chu will surely besiege Cai." The people of Cai became afraid, expelled Zhu, and installed Dongguo. Zhu appealed to Chu, and the king of Chu prepared to attack Cai. Fei Wuji said: "Pinghou had a covenant with Chu, so his son was enfeoffed. Now that he has disloyal intentions, he is deposed. King Ling killed the heir apparent Yin, and his son shares a common enemy with you, my lord, so his gratitude to you must be profound. Moreover, if you install him as ruler, would that not be acceptable? Besides, the decision to depose or install lies with you, my lord, and Cai has no other thoughts."
Duke Zhao went to Jin, and upon reaching the Yellow River, the state of Gu rebelled against Jin. Jin was preparing to attack Xianyu, so they declined to receive Duke Zhao.